Healthcare

 

Hospitals Increasing Green Building

More hospitals and medical centers are turning to energy efficient building options, according to an article in the January 28, 2008 edition of Modern Healthcare. Whether renovating an existing structure, constructing a new site, or finding alternative sources of power, healthcare systems are choosing conservation options. Energy conservation features help the healthcare industry spend less on energy consumption. This is especially important with increasing energy prices and decreased revenue.

Energy Efficient Building Options

New medical centers and hospitals are adding features such as

Reflective roofing or cool roofs, keeping surfaces cool and increase roof lifespan. The EPA states that cool roofs save “building owners 20-70% in annual cooling energy use”

High-efficiency glass, block heat and keep out cold

Natural lighting, allow for more sunlight and less electricity spent on lighting

Alternative power sources, such as solar or wind

High-efficiency light fixtures with occupancy sensors, increase energy efficiency by using sunlight and limited lighting, depending on the amount of sunlight available

East-west construction, to reduce heat gain by decreasing sun exposure

Rooftop gardens, create insulation and extend roof lifespan

Current Healthcare Utility Costs

The healthcare industry is one of the largest contributors to pollution. Healthcare buildings are also the third largest non-office, non-mall commercial energy consumer, according to the 2003 Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey by the U.S. Energy Department. The next survey, due out in 2009, is now being conducted. In 2003, $7.44 billion was spent on utilities in 129,000 healthcare buildings. Although utilities costs only average about 1 percent of hospital expenses, the healthcare industry still accounts for 11 percent of all U.S. commercial energy use.

Global Health and Safety Initiative

Kaiser Permanente, California’s leading HMO, initiated the Global Health and Safety Initiative in October of 2007, along with 22 other healthcare systems and several hundred hospitals. The initiative focuses on taking a closer look at safety issues affecting patients and healthcare environmental issues. One of the topics, Environmental Safety and Sustainability, aims to develop the “best environmental practices” for medical centers and hospitals. The Global Health and Safety Initiative aims to “improve environmental performance of healthcare”.